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Where Writer Conference Connections Can Take You 12/2/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Lindsey Brackett

by, Lindsey Brackett, FCWC faculty member

Two years ago I attended my first writer's conference.

Truthfully, I'd never realized these existed—a place filled with people who thought like me and wanted to talk about imaginary characters as if they were real, and used jargon like "action tag" and "comma splice" in everyday conversation?

It was heaven on earth for this girl who'd always been a little shy to whisper that title Writer over her words.

Then, while I sat in a big ballroom and listened to big words (I think it was Brian Bird speaking), a message popped up on my phone. My friend Jennifer, who I'd met at a conference for bloggers, was texting me to meet her friend Bethany.

You're both there! she wrote.

Later, when everyone milled around making connections, I wove through the group looking for a girl named Bethany who had messaged me just a few minutes after Jennifer’s text.

She introduced me to Ben Wolf, who founded the Splickety Publishing Group. Ben gave me my first publishing credit a month later for my first flash fiction story. Then Bethany hired me to be her Associate Editor for Splickety's Lightning Blog, and when she moved on, I moved up.

Now Ben Wolf and Splickety's talented staff of writers and editors answer all my questions as I navigate this new career.

My new career includes a book contract with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, because when I sat with Eva Marie Everson she told me I had talent.

Then she showed me how to improve that talent.

Eighteen months later she acquired my book.

You never know where connections at a writers conference will take you.

Be open. Smile. Say hello. Follow up.

Because the divine connections of this writer's conference might just change your life.

Join the conversation: Who have you met at a conferences that changed the course of your writing career?

Award-winning writer, Lindsey P. Brackett once taught middle grades literature, but now she writes her own works in the midst of motherhood. A blogger since 2010, she also publishes short stories and articles and is a community columnist for The Northeast Georgian. In 2015, she joined Splickety Publishing Group as Editor of Web Content. For Splickety, Lindsey acquires great flash fiction and pieces of writerly wisdom, as well as guides authors to hone their craft. Her love of family ties and southern places prompted her first novel which will release with Lighthouse Publishing in 2017. Connect with her at www.lindseypbrackett.com or on Twitter as @lindsbrac.

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Comments

Johnnie Alexander From Tennessee At 12/4/2015 9:25:27 AM

This is a great story and shows an important reason for investing in conferences. Attending FCWC several years ago made all the difference for my writing dreams. Hope to see you there in 2016!

Bethany From FL At 12/3/2015 11:41:31 AM

This was an amazing memory!!! I am so glad Jennifer connected us. I, too, am grateful for the connections made - my agent, editors, Ben, you, my ""big sis"" Michelle Medlock Adams, Sarah, Jen, and so many others! Torry Martin gave me a push into magazine writing and I never looked back. :)